1998 Ford F-150 Review
1998 Ford F-150 Review

Used F-150 for sale
Appraise This CarFord F-150 model years
Ford F-150 types
- Regular Cab
- Extended Cab
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Best-in-class interior styling, powerful engine choices, and great on-road handling make this one of our favorite full-size trucks. Does pretty well off-road, too.
Cons
- Exterior styling has too many swoops and dips for our liking. Hard-to-see fenders make parking this thing a chore.
What’s new
The 1998 F-150 gets a 50th Anniversary decal affixed to the lower left corner of the windshield. Other changes include making the locking tailgate standard on XLT and Lariat trims, optional on XL and Standard models. Foglights become optional this year on all four-wheel-drive models except for the Lariat, which gets them standard. An STX package featuring 17-inch tires, aluminum wheels and color-keyed grille debuts as an option for the XLT 2WD. The Lariat receives a color-keyed steering column, leather-wrapped steering wheel and outside power signal mirrors. Silver Metallic paint replaces Silver Frost paint, and Light Denim Blue replaces Portofino Blue.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1998 Ford F-150 XL 3dr Extended Cab 4WD LB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$271/mo for F-150 XL
F-150 XL
vs
$244/mo
Avg. Large Truck
Vehicle overview
When Ford introduced the new family of F-Series trucks in 1996 as a 1997 model, there was an uproar among old-school Blue Oval fans. Gone were their beloved Twin-I-Beam suspensions, pushrod engines and traditional styling. The new model appeared with a short- and long-arm front suspension, overhead cam engines and more swoops than a Dairy Queen sundae.
Now that the vehicle has been out for two years, naysayers have put their fears to rest. The SLA suspension provides excellent on- and off-road articulation, giving the most demanding drivers the best ride available in any truck. Overhead cam engines provide capable acceleration and enough power to tow Rhode Island to the West Coast. The swoopy exterior means that parking an F-Series truck in a crowded parking lot may be a bit of a challenge, but the outstanding visibility it gives when off-roading more than makes up for its somewhat sissified shape.
The Ford F-Series' interior is also a breakthrough. Stepping out of one of the competitive vehicles, like a Chevy or Dodge, and into the F-Series is like going from a Yugo to a Lincoln. All of the Ford's hard edges have been softened, and the interior materials are not something that one would expect to see in a vehicle meant for a hard day's work. When put to the test, however, the Ford's interior can stand up to the rigors thrown at it by the meanest of foreman and orneriest of ranch hands. Until this vehicle came onto the scene, ergonomic and truck were not words that we were likely to use in the same sentence. The positioning of the F-Series' controls, however, make this vehicle easier to drive than many midsize sedans.
Our main gripe about the new F-Series is its overly twitchy steering and the tall step-in on the four-wheel drive model. Not too much to complain about, if you ask us.
After driving several F-150s, it appears that Ford has taken a path designed to bring more personal-use buyers into the Ford fold without alienating truck buyers who work their pickups hard. Styling, always a subjective point, might turn potential buyers off with its free-flowing forms and smooth contours. We, however, like its clean lines and lack of clutter, particularly around the grille. If you are in the market for a full-size pickup, you need to see why the F-150 has been the best-selling truck on the market for the last decade. Ford redefined excellence when it introduced its latest full-size truck; the others are still trying to catch up. Chevrolet will be coming out with a new model for the 1999 model year, but we don't think that there will be any serious competition for Ford's F-Series trucks until then.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1998 Ford F-150.
5 star(62%)
4 star(32%)
3 star(4%)
2 star(1%)
1 star(1%)
90 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
4.63 out of 5 stars
Runs like the Energizer Bunny
kwhite917, 08/21/2009
1998 Ford F-150 XLT 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.2L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
My 1998 F-150 4.6 XLT 3-door shortbed keeps going and going and going. I have over 200K miles on it and I'm sure it will keep going another 100K miles before I may need to have something done. My 17 year old daughter is driving it to and from school and she loves "her" truck. She said all the boys are jealous of her because they think "her" truck is so good looking. I was run off the … road in Houston in 2005 and hit a barrier on the left front fender. When the insurance appraiser was writing up the repair order he listed it as 2003 model. When I corrected him he was dumbfounded. He said he had never seen a vehicle of that age and mileage that was so pristine. It gave me warm fuzzies inside.
5 out of 5 stars
Best vehicle I've ever owned
EileenJG, 05/09/2010
1998 Ford F-150 XLT 3dr Extended Cab SB (4.2L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
Love this truck. I've got 156,000 miles on it now and intend to keep it for a long, long while. Pulls my 17' travel trailer with ease. Repairs have been just the usual maintenance. When I buy again, it'll be another F150.
5 out of 5 stars
Our F-150
tybri93, 07/27/2013
1998 Ford F-150 XLT 3dr Extended Cab 4WD SB (4.6L 8cyl naturally aspired 5M)
This is truly one of the most reliable vehicles we have ever had in our drive way. Currently (2013) our truck has had nothing go wrong with it that was not related to poor ownership. First problem Fuel pump went, maitnence item that should have been replaced. As well as a belt that was not changed when it was suppose to and snapped on the road. Other than that, nothing! We bought the … thing with 140,000 on it, now it has 200,000 and still runs strong, and starts everyday. We do not hesitate to take it on long trips (500 miles +++) and neither should you. The 4.6 is working harder then it use to, but that's just due to it's age. Nothing a tune up wouldn't fix. No intention of getting rid of it
4.13 out of 5 stars
10 years of excellent service
kcokc, 05/09/2008
1998 Ford F-150 XL 2dr Regular Cab SB (4.2L 6cyl naturally aspired 5M)
Bought new in August 98. XL 4.2 V6, 5- speed 3.55 axle, with XLT interior. TX/OK package. Reliability - one of the best vehicles I've owned. Never had a breakdown, only real repair was replacement of turn signal switch. Good power for a 6 cylinder, have towed way more than recommended limit for short distances. Only complaint is fuel economy (lack of). 15-16 MPG in urban driving, 20 on … highway cruise at interstate speed. Owned two Chevy p/u's before, this F150 is better truck by far for a work vehicle/tough truck. Chevy's were more confortable, more economical to drive. Gonna miss the old ford when it goes to a new owner shortly. First Ford, was great choice!
1998 F-150 Highlights
Regular Cab
XL
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 15 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $246/month |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Max Towing Capacity | 7,500 lbs. |
Safety
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriverNot RatedPassengerNot Rated
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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